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Why does it seems like the only people talking about the hostages in Afghanistan are Asian American folks? That is probably not totally fair, but I think the post Silence in the Godblogosphere is deafening tells the truth as these Korean Christian missionaries have been held captive for now 11 days with two having been confirmed killed. Michelle Malkin is writing and there are a handful of others who have blogged, but the mainstream media has been noticeably silent.

This story is HEART-BREAKING on so many levels and thanks to Eugene Cho we are getting some serious info. Thanks Eugene. But we should be ashamed at the lack uproar and support from the church.

Is this the time to questions why? Is it because they are not American, probably. Does the whole Christian thing make it complicated, sure. Are there other atrocities being ignored every day, of course. But still, this should be bigger than it is. Would the same silence be had if it were a British or Canadian group? It seems like the same old thing again, not American, not sexy, not enough juice. Is it that the media doesn’t believe that this story would sell papers and if that is true we as a society officially do just suck.

So . . . in your church, on your blog, in your conversations, we must life up our prayers, at least keep these folks in the front of our minds as to not forget what they have done in the name of their faith.

DJ Chuang has a much less ranty reflection with some great resources, but if you really want to keep up with what is going on subscribe to Eugene’s blog.

To keep up with what is going on you can continue to read the tidbit from US media outlets, or check out the in depth commentary and up-to-date happenings on English versions of the Korean papers: Chosun Ilbo or Hankyoreh.

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Hi,
Often, I think, certain stories (Korean Hostages) receive little coverage by the media because to report that certain story would cause ill effects on some company, group, country, or person. The ill effects are usually economic.
I really don’t understand why the kidnapping and murdering of Korean Christians has not been covered by the media. One could guess that our government might not want the American public to think they have blundered in Afganistan as badly as they have in Iraq. Maybe deciders think that to widely report the stories would widen the gap of animosity between Christians and other religious peoples.
Regardless, these are very sad and disturbing events and we should have access to the facts regarding the Koreans.

This urgent appeal on the PC(USA) website today (front and center on the homepage – http://www.pcusa.org):
Urgent prayer appeal to ecumenical community
We grieve today at the news of the tragic slaying of a second Korean hostage in Afghanistan, Mr. Shim Sung-Min. This news came only a few days after the Rev. Bae Hyung-Kyu was killed, also by the Taliban. The late pastor, the Rev. Bae Hyung Kyu and 22 people are members of Sam-mool (Spring Water) Presbyterian Church in Bundang, Korea, who went to Afghanistan to exercise witness and service and were kidnapped by the Taliban.
Insik Kim, coordinator for Asia and the Pacific within the World Mission program area, is in contact with leaders of the Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea, voicing our solidarity, and has relayed an urgent prayer appeal. Please join us in praying for the families of Mr. Shim and the Rev. Bae, and for the release of the remaining hostages.

Pastor B – just want you to know that my pastor in my small Conservative Baptist church in my lilly-white small town in the Pacific Northwest actually talked about the kidnapped Korean missionaries this past Sunday. He had a slide/photos of the whole group and of the pastor who was executed. He brought them to our attention in the context of persecution of believers, and asked us all to pray for them. Yes…we are astounded at how little attnetion their plight is getting.

Bruce Reyes-Chow

One of those "consultant" types who spends his time, blogging, teaching, speaking and writing. He also happens to be a Presbyterian Teaching Elder, father to three daughters, smug San Franciscan and FANatic of the Oakland Athletics Baseball club. Thanks for reading.